Kent lost seven wickets for just 22 runs on their way to a nine-wicket defeat at Middlesex on Saturday. The visitors were reduced from 87-2 to 109-9 at Lord’s as they were beaten inside three days in the LV= Insurance County Championship Division 1.
Veteran seamer Tim Murtagh was the chief destroyer, taking 6-42 to make it 10 wickets in the match as Kent crumbled to 128 all out.
Ben Compton and Jack Leaning had dragged Kent back into contention with a solid 87-run partnership before the wickets tumbled as Middlesex were left to chase a modest target of 86.They achieved that in 24.3 overs, with Sam Robson compiling an unbeaten 41 and Pieter Malan 24 not out to steer their side across the line by nine wickets.
Trailing by just three runs at 40-2 overnight, Kent moved into the lead when Compton nudged Ethan Bamber to the boundary, but overall the morning session proved a tough slog for the batting side, who were restricted to less than two an over despite the improved overhead conditions.